Early West Tennessee marriage records show that Stephen married Heiksey H. Simmons (Hexie and Huksey) on January 8, 1838 in Hardeman County, Tennessee. She was born in 1820 in North Carolina. Not much is known of Heiksey except that she likely died in Tennessee between September 1850 and October 1853. In the marriage of Stephen and Heiksey, there were four children, Levi Thomas, Isom Hurney, Elizabeth Ann, and Mickey.

Early West Tennessee marriage records show that Stephen married a second time, this time to Amy Moore on October 25, 1853 in Hardeman County, Tennessee. Amy was born in 1834 in North Carolina. Little is known about earlier years of Amy. Census records show Amy, age 17, living with her parents and siblings and grandparents in Hardeman County. Stephen went south both times to Hardeman County to get married. It is interesting to note that the bondsman in both marriages was Elijah Simmons, a family member of his first wife. The Simmons and the Moores were neighbors. Stephen traveled south to Hardeman County to get married, most likely on account of the courthouse located there at that time. Perhaps with the frequent family visits, Stephen had the opportunity to become acquainted with the Moore family.

Stephen and Amy moved to Cane Hill Township, Washington County, Arkansas, in early 1856. He farmed 80 acres of land west of Prairie Grove. During the Civil War, Stephen held to his convictions and chose to be a Union man while two sons, Levi and Isom, joined the Confederate Army. After the Civil War, Stephen filed a claim for $516.50 for items taken by the Union Army between 1862 and 1864. Two sorrel horses, a mare and colt, 150 bushels of corn and fodder were taken at various times. He received $337.00 for these items. His farm was only 3 miles from where the Battle of Prairie Grove was fought. Rhea Mill was 4 miles and Cane Hill was 2 miles from their farm. Soldiers were camped at both places and raided the near-by farms for food and supplies.

His farm was in cultivation each year of the war except 1865 when he belong to a Union colony near his house. He cultivated abandoned land in connection with the colony.

Two horses were believed taken by Rebel soldiers during the night in 1863. He never received any payment nor saw the horses again. Two Rebel Bushwhackers once told Stephen that they were going to kill any Union man. Stephen naturally thought that they included him, since he had reported a rebel to the Union Army. He was scared nearly to death, but they did not follow through with any threat. Even though Stephen was a Union man, he stated that he did not assist his sons to support or enlist in the Rebel Service. Stephen’s quote was once written:

Stephen never learned to read or write, however he was a very respected man by his neighbors. He was a very hard headed man and spoke his opinion quite often. Even though he was threatened, he spoke out for the Union and against secession quite often.

Stephen was faced with many life's challenges. Other than his Civil War encounter, it is likely his first wife died, and possibly a child (Micky), in Tennessee. Later in life Stephen out-lived son Isom and daughter Martha Ellen, and grand children, who lost their lives to an epidemic that sweep through Washington County. These family members, along with Aunt Marrs and Grandmother Moore, all died from the same disease in 1886, within a two month period.